Sunday, June 21, 2015

Happy Father's Day

I just stumbled across this terrific meditation on God as Father, written by Marcellino D’Ambrosio.

While it has nothing to do with today’s readings for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, it could serve as an inspiring Father’s Day homily — or, at least, heartfelt food for thought. Take a gander:

Most of the great religions of the world believe in one God and teach the gist of the Ten Commandments.

But that the supreme Being is not just “King of the Universe” or “Master” but “Father,” that he desires that we have a close, familiar relationship with Him–these ideas you don’t find anywhere outside the teaching of Jesus.

To call God “Father” does not mean to say, of course, that he is an old man with a white beard. Only the second person of the Blessed Trinity wedded himself to a male human nature in the womb of Mary. The Father and the Holy Spirit are pure Spirit and transcend male and female, masculine and feminine (CCC 239). This is no new insight brought to Christianity by the feminist movement. It has always been taught that the word “Father” applied to God, is used by way of analogy. Analogies tell us something very true despite being imperfect. Until recently, the father was recognized by Western society as origin, head and provider of the family. To call the first person of the Trinity “Father” means that he is the origin and transcendent authority of all and cares for the needs of all.

But we all instinctively know that a father who just pays the bills and barks orders is not enough. We expect a dad to have an intimate, affectionate relationship with his children, to spend “quality time” with them. To call God “Father” means, then, that he is near to us, intimately concerned with us, fond of us, even crazy about us. He is not the distant, clockmaker God of Thomas Jefferson and the Deists. This aloof God of the philosophers created the world to run by virtue of its own natural laws so that he could withdraw and occupy himself with more interesting pursuits.

No, the God whom Jesus calls Father cares about us and knows us intimately. “Every hair on your head is numbered (Mat 10:30).” He loves us more than we love ourselves and knows us better than we know ourselves.

That is something we often forget, and something, I think, that we need to hear, now more than ever.

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About Us

The Province of Meribah strives to discern and respond to the needs of the Church today.
We see the Catholic school as the center of apostolic activities, activities which make their effect felt far beyond the walls of the classroom.
As a consequence of our profession of vows, we enter a new family, our religious community. In this religious community, we assume new relationships and responsibilities toward God, our Brothers in community, and the People of God.
By our profession in the Society of Mary, we commit ourselves to grow in holiness and to bring all to Christ.

The Province of Meribah

Our vocation is an infinite gift, offered to us by Jesus in the name of his Mother. As Marianists, we dedicate our lives to Mary. We are honored to follow her example of humble service and faithful discipleship in every aspect of our life.

Vocation Director

The Province of Meribah welcomes young men who have graduated from high school to join them in their life of prayer, dedication to the common life, and mission of educating the young.

Operation Fiat

Operation Fiat is for young men considering a vocation to religious life. The evening includes Evening Prayer, dinner with the Community, and a short presentation.

The Fall Operation Fiat is on Wednesday, November 14th at the Kellenberg Memorial Community in Uniondale, New York. It begins at 6 pm in the Chapel of the Transfiguration.

The Spring Operation Fiat was held on Tuesday, April 17th at the Chaminade-Mineola Community at 6 pm in the Chapel of Our Lady's Assumption. Brother Lawrence shared his vocation over his years in religious life.

May the grace of a Marianist vocation be brought to fulfillment.

If you are interested in learning more about the Marianists, please contact Bro. Michael or Bro. Stephen.

Retreats

Bro. Michael:

bromichael@kellenberg.org

Bro. Stephen:

sballetta@chaminade-hs.org

COLLEGE-AGE ALUMNI MEN'S RETREAT

Usually takes place in early January.

This year our program took placefrom Tuesday, January 2 - Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at theMERIBAH RETREAT HOUSE